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India's Disabled Face Health Insurance Crisis
20 Nov
Summary
- Eighty percent of persons with disabilities lack health insurance.
- Over half of applicants face rejection without explanation.
- Systemic inequities deny equitable health insurance access.
A recent nationwide survey conducted between 2023 and 2025 across 34 Indian states and union territories has highlighted a severe crisis in health insurance access for persons with disabilities. The study found that a staggering 80% of this population lacks health insurance, with over half of those who apply facing rejection, often without a clear explanation. This situation points to deep systemic inequities affecting an estimated 16 crore Indians.
The report, titled 'Inclusive Health Coverage for All: Disability, Discrimination and Health Insurance in India,' details how individuals with disabilities encounter discriminatory underwriting, unaffordable premiums, and inaccessible digital platforms, despite existing legal protections. Rejections are particularly high for those with autism, psychosocial disabilities, intellectual disabilities, and blood disorders.
Recommendations include immediate inclusion of all persons with disabilities in the Ayushman Bharat scheme without stringent criteria, enhanced coverage for mental health and assistive technologies, and the establishment of a disability inclusion committee within the IRDAI. These steps aim to rectify the ongoing violation of rights to equitable healthcare access.
